LAT

A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

An expression of gratitude to the main contributors
of this Lat collection coffee table book:-
~ Syed Anuar Syed Ali
~ George Wong
~ Liz Tan Li Xin
~ Madeline Stella Joseph

Published by
AmBank Group
Group Corporate Communications
Copyright © AmBank Group, 2012.
First edition, June, 2012.

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or
otherwise, without the prior written permission
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arising from the printing, sale or use of the
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publication is correct at the time of printing.

The Publisher is not responsible for any consequence

in accuracy or omission.

Text, creative & pre-press

Digital Impressions Sdn Bhd

Print production
Superior Press Sdn Bhd
LATA Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

A parade of AmBank Group’s products and services,

branding, customer experiences, greeting cards and
lifestyle, each bore a stamp of the tongue-in-cheek
trademark that is Lat. This disposition perfectly
meshes with AmBank Group’s cutting edge, yet fresh
and down-to-earth personality.
FLEXILOAN Facility
Advertisement featuring the attractive benefits
of the FLEXILOAN. First appeared in The Star on
20 September, 1988, then subsequently in The
Star, 22 February, 1990 and the issue of Berita
AmBank Group in September, 1988.
Contents
04 Preface by Tan Sri Azman Hashim
07 Foreword by Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid (LAT)
10 Prologue
11 Products & Services
29 Group Branding
41 Festive Greetings
57 Life at the Bank

Season’s Greetings 1985

Festive caricature featuring Tan Sri Azman Hashim
and members of the senior management in Berita
AmBank Group in December, 1985.
4 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Preface
I have pleasure in presenting AmBank Group’s (back then known
as the Arab-Malaysian Banking Group) very own collection of LAT’s
cartoons. LAT, whose real name is Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, is Malaysia’s
leading cartoonist. Through his humorous and yet sometimes critical
observations of the typical Malaysian way of life, he has captured the
hearts of not only Malaysians from all walks of life but also gained
international recognition.

In a somewhat unconventional move on our part as a banking and

financial group, LAT was commissioned to produce cartoons for our
product advertisements. We have, through these cartoons, been able to
show the various personalities of the Group and events occurring during
the time when we were known as Arab-Malaysian in a light-hearted
manner. With LAT’s subtle but effective means of getting a message
across, not only have we been able to give a new meaning to local bank
advertising but the cartoons have also brought a smile to everyone of us.

‘The Many Faces Of

Azman Hashim’
At a celebration of Tan Sri’s
wedding anniversary-cum-
50th birthday, a booklet
entitled “The Many Faces of
Azman Hashim” featuring Lat’s
caricatures of Tan Sri Azman
in various humorous guises:
from a Japanese in traditional
costume, being dressed in
a ‘vesti’ (Indian national
costume), a guitar-slinging
cowboy on a camel, and even
a satay-seller! These images
first appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in June, 1990.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 5

Through his simple cartoon caricatures, Malaysian scenes have

been portrayed in a lighter vein. I am pleased to note that LAT’s
understanding and insight into human nature, as portrayed by his
characters, caught the eye of many of our customers back then.

I hope that the cartoons in this book will evoke many fond
memories and many smiles from you!

Tan Sri Azman Hashim

Chairman
AmBank Group

Kuala Lumpur
June, 2012
6 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 7

Foreword
Looking at the collection of the cartoons again now, I am reminded of the
many happy moments from 1984 to 1991 when I worked closely with Tan
Sri Azman Hashim and the banking group to capture snapshots, if you will,
of the Group in action, as well as the captain strongly steering the financial
powerhouse of AmBank Group as it steadily grew stronger and larger.

At this juncture, I must congratulate Tan Sri Azman for having taken a bold
step in branding the then Arab-Malaysian Banking Group using cartoon
caricatures to communicate with their retail customers and corporate
clients. This is indeed revolutionary and visionary on the part of Tan Sri.
I am glad to have had a share of that piece of history of the group.

The idea was to give peeks, with an added dash of humour, into the inner
workings and daily life at the bank (including catching Tan Sri Azman
Hashim as well as the senior management ‘in action’ ), its products
and services, elements of branding as well as emphasis on giving equal
recognition to all races and religions. To capture the latter, I made many
sketches of staff and customers of all races as well as a series of cartoons
serving as festive greetings for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and
Christmas.

The Group’s mascot, the camel, features prominently in the cartoons and
you will also find glimpses of the various facets of Tan Sri Azman Hashim’s
personality. Additionally, I was able to see at close quarters how the
Group functioned as a reflection of the man’s salient qualities – honesty,
determination, resilience, compassion and above all, an insistence on being
down-to-earth and approachable.

I hope you will enjoy these delightful little gems which simultaneously
remind us that the core characteristics which have endeared AmBank
Group to us have not changed much over the years.

Yours sincerely,

Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid

(LAT)
8 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991
A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 9
10 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Prologue
In December, 1984, Lat sketched his first cartoon for Berita AmBank Group, the Group’s
newsletter with characters Cik Yah, Ah Har and Letchmi in a piece featuring the savings account.
The cartoon was published in the New Straits Times in 1985 and with that, the AmBank-Lat
relationship was born. Throughout the next seven years, Malaysia’s most famous cartoonist
went on to create a motley compilation of cartoons that served as a window into the world of
AmBank Group.

Malaysia was first introduced to Lat’s
cartoons in 1968, when a publisher,
Sinaran Brothers of Penang paid
13-year old Lat RM25 for his work,
Tiga Sekawan, a story about three
friends who banded together
to catch robbers. Meanwhile his
caricatures and stories of Keluarga
Si Mamat entertained readers of
Berita Minggu every Sunday.
Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, better
known as Lat, completed school in
1969 and the following year moved
to Kuala Lumpur, where he applied
for a full-time job as an artist with
the New Straits Times but was
instead was offered a position as a
crime reporter, which he accepted.
Four years later, impressed with his
work with Asia Magazine in Hong
Kong (which published a collection
of his Bersunat cartoons), the New
Straits Times editor-in-chief was
shocked to learn the cartoonist was
already on the staff of the Times
Group – as a crime reporter! That
same year, Lat made his English-
language debut with Scenes of
Malaysian Life appearing thrice
weekly in the New Straits Times.
He soon gained a devoted following.
Lat’s cartoons – honest, earthy and
without malice – present true-to-life
pictures that capture the humour of
topical events, domestic incidents,
travels abroad or international
affairs. His cartoon characters have
always been portraying ordinary
people – a villager in his checkered
sarong, a money-changer in his
white dhoti, a Malay government
servant in his bush jacket and
sometimes even Lat himself: that
character with the flat, round face;
the nose slightly off centre; the
untidy mop of dark, curly hair; and
the constant toothy grin!
He has been gently subtle in
capturing the idiosyncracies of
Malaysian life, as when depicting
a newsreader looking serious, with
shirt and tie reading the news; in
the next picture, he has finished
and is walking away from the desk,
revealing his sarong. This is the
essence of Lat’s cartoons, reminding
many Malaysians of their roots
in kampungs and the chaotic
developing cities of the 60s and 70s
– a reminder of how far Malaysia
has come in such a short time.
Or he can be poignantly sharp.
When famine hit an African state
during the New Year festivities in
the 80s, Lat made his comment
with one picture and no words:
as people feast and party in a large
room, no-one is watching the
television news, which features a
starving mother and her child.
With his astute powers of
observation and an incredible
memory for detail, Lat has been
much sought after by embassy
officials who recognised his ability
to deliver fresh insights into their
own countries, ‘reporting’ his
experiences to his readers via
cartoon ‘travelogues’.
After over forty years of evoking
laughter, Lat is turning out even
sharper, satirical and more focused
commentary. Age has not made him
serious or sophisticated. Beneath
his quiet demeanour still lurks that
childlike and irrepressible sense of
humour that has captured so many
hearts. On 20 March, 2010, Datuk
Mohd Nor Khalid was awarded
the NPC-Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin
SM Amin ‘1Malaysian of the Year
Award’ for his cartoons which have
given an in-depth meaning to the
word unity.
A world citizen, cosmopolitan,
and most of all, a kampung boy
at heart, Lat is many persons in
one. Perhaps this explains his
unique ability to break through the
communal barriers of the multiracial
culture of Malaysia. Never before
was there a cartoonist who could
make Malaysians of all races laugh
at themselves, and with each other.
While characterising the unique
qualities of different races of people,
he has brought out the universality
of man.
Products & Services
12 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

A. B.

Savings Account
C. A. Advertisement on savings account with characters Cik
Yah and Ah Har. First appreared in the New Straits Times
on 10 May, 1985. It was reprinted in the Business Times
on 22 October, 1985, and 26 August, 1986; New Straits
Times on 8 January, 26 August and 18 December, 1986;
Utusan Malaysia on 14 March, 1986; Berita Harian on
12 May, 1986; The Star on 14 July, 1986; Berita AmBank
Group in December, 1984.

B. Advertisement on savings account with characters Ah

Har and friend. First appreared in The Star, 23 May, 1985.
Subsequently, it was reprinted in the New Straits Times
on 22 October, 1985 and The Star, 4 April, 1986.

C. Advertisement on savings account with characters

Letchmi and friend. First appreared in Berita Harian on
31 May, 1985. It was reprinted in Utusan Malaysia on
23 October, 1985.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 13

Home Improvement
Loan Facility
Advertisement featuring the
Home Improvement Loan. First
appeared in Utusan Malaysia
and The Star on 27 May, 1985.
Subsequently it was reprinted
in The Star on 30 May, 1985
and Berita AmBank Group in
September, 1985.

Factoring Facility
Advertisement promoting factoring. First appeared
in the New Straits Times on 8 May, 1986.
Subsequently it reappeared in The Star on 12 May,
2 June, 6 December, 1986 and 19 October, 1988;
Business Times on 22 May, 1986, 6 September,
4 October and 1 November, 1988; New Straits
Times on 16 November, 1987, 17 November and
15 December, 1988; China Press on 19 October,
1988; Berita Harian on 5 November, 1990 and
Berita AmBank Group in March, 1985.
14 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Factoring Facility
Advertisement on factoring. First
appeared in the Business Times on
6 September, 1988 and 4 October,
1988. It was reprinted in The Star,
19 October, 1988; China Press on
19 October, 1988; Business Times,
1 November, 1988; the New Straits
Times on 17 November, 1988,
17 and 15 December, 1988.

Sunday Banking
Advertisement featuring Sunday banking in
Berita AmBank Group in March, 1985.
A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 15

Fire Insurance
Advertisement for Fire Insurance. First
appeared in The Star on 21 May, 1985.
Subsequently it appeared in Utusan
Malaysia on 31 May, 1985 and Berita
AmBank Group in June, 1985.
16 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Arab-Malaysian Investment
Management (AMIM) Account
Advertisement featuring the Arab-Malaysian Investment
Management (AMIM) Account. First appeared in the
Business Times on 19 July, 1988 followed by reprints on
20 October, 1988, 22 December, 1989, 8 March, 1991,
18 May, 1990, 26 July, 5 October and 13 December,
1991. Subsequently, it was reprinted in the New Straits
Times on 28 December, 1989 and Berita AmBank Group
in March, 1991.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 17

Savings Account
Advertisement for Savings Account with high interest rate returns calculated on a daily basis. First appreared
in The Star on 4 April, 1986 and subsequently in Berita Harian on 12 May, 1986.

ATM Services
Advertisement introducing ATM services
with the camel mascot. First appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in September, 1987.
18 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

The Arab-Malaysian Individuals’ Government Securities

(AMIGOS) Programme
Caricature on the AMIGOS Programme to enable retail investors to invest in
Government securities. First appeared in Berita AmBank Group in September, 1987.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 19

Home Ownership Made Easy (HOME)

Advertisement featuring the HOME facility offered by
Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad. First appeared in The Star
on 5 October, 1987.
20 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Personal Accident Insurance

A humourous depiction of an accident
for a personal accident insurance
advertisement. First appreared in the
Business Times on 10 June, 1987 and
Berita AmBank Group in June, 1987.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 21

GREAT ATM Card

Advertisement featuring the convenience of
using the GREAT ATM Card for public issue share
payment. First appeared in the New Straits Times
and The Star on 18 October, 1988. It also appeared
in Berita AmBank Group in September, 1988.
22 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Arab-Malaysian Investment
Management (AMIM) Account
Advertisement promoting the Arab-Malaysian
Investment Management (AMIM) account.
First appeared in the Business Times on
25 March, 1986. Subsequently, it reappeared
in the Business Times on 26 April, 20 May,
17 June, 15 July, 12 August, 1986, 8 March,
26 July, 13 December, 1991; and Berita
AmBank Group in September, 1985 and
June, 1986.

Sunday Banking Services

A humorous look at dedicated staff
working on Sunday as part of the Sunday
Banking service. First appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in June, 1985.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 23

Late Banking
Advertisement promoting late banking hours
at the SS2 branch with then Managing Director
Tan Sri Azlan Zainol joining in the racuous calls
from the nearby pasar malam. First appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in December, 1985.
24 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Factoring Facility
Advertisement on factoring.
First appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in March, 1989.

Mortgage Reducing Term

Assurance
A caricature featuring free Mortgage
Reducing Term Assurance when
taking up the H.O.M.E. II Loan. First
appeared in The Star on 7 June,
1990. It was reprinted in The Star
on 17 July, 1990; the Malay Mail on
26 July, 1990; and Berita AmBank
Group in June, 1990.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 25

Mortgage Reducing Term

Assurance (MRTA)
Advertisement of the HOME II housing loan
with free MRTA (with 60-year loan option). First
appeared in The Star on 18 July, 1990. It was
reprinted in The Malay Mail on 26 July, 1990.

Extended Banking Hours During The Week

Advertisement announcing the extension of banking hours
for customers in Petaling Jaya, Selayang, Ipoh and Air Itam
branches. First appeared in The Malay Mail on 26 June, 1990.
26 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Opening Of New Branches

Advertisement announcing the opening of Segamat and Pudu branches adding to
Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad’s 55 branches nationwide. First appeared in the New
Straits Times on 29 August, 1991. Subsequently, the caricature was reprinted for the
advertisement announcing the opening of the Skudai, Bentong, Tampin, Kampar and
Gua Musang branches in the New Straits Times on 15 December, 1991.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 27

Home Ownership Made Easy (HOME) Personal Accident Insurance

Advertisement featuring a HOME facility offered by Advertisement featuring personal accident insurance.
Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad.
28 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Hire-Purchase Financing
Advetisement featuring Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad’s Hire-Purchase Financing. The
caricatures first appeared in the product brochure“The fast way to get your car on the road”.

AMSAS Facility
Advertisement featuring the facility for
application for new shares. (AMSAS has since
been withdrawn)
Group Branding
30 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Savings Account
Caricature of Tan Sri Azman Hashim turning
heads by coming to work on a camel.
This was to promote the high interest rate
of 10% offered by the Bank to savings
accounts. First appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in December, 1984.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 31

Opening Of New Branches

This popular caricature was used to advertise and commemorate the opening of new
Arab-Malaysian branches. It was also used in congratulatory advertisements in the press.
Tan Sri Azman Hashim is seen in a dark suit, behind the ribbon.

It appeared in Berita AmBank Group in March, June, September, December, 1985 as

well as September, 1987 (for the Malay Mail Big Walk event). It also appeared in The
Star on 9 August and 16 December, 1985; in Utusan Malaysia on 16 December, 1985;
in the New Straits Times in 19 July and 28 December, 1989, 8 February and 31 May,
1990, and 8 October, 1991; and in the Business Times on 9 March, 1990.

The Arab-Malaysian Banking Group also contributed to the Kuala Lumpur Official Guide
as part of its efforts to promote domestic tourism. Lat’s cartoon with Tan Sri Azman
Hashim and customers was featured on the back cover of the guide. It was reprinted in
Berita AmBank Group in June, 1986.

This caricature was also used as the front cover for the publication of the “Selamat
Datang” booklet published by the Arab-Malaysian Banking Group in 1990, on earlier
creation of Lat’s caricatures.
32 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Arab-Malaysian Banking
Group Branding
The Arab-Malaysian brand proudly
displayed on a billboard at a bus
stop located along Jalan Raja Chulan
near the Group’s headquarters. The
caricature appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in March, 1986.

Savings Account
Visitors looking at camels at the zoo are
reminded of the mascot and icon of the
Arab-Malaysian Banking Group. Appeared
in Berita AmBank Group in June, 1986.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 33

New Corporate Headquarters

Advertisement announcing the Group’s move to its new
corporate headquarters in Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.
First appeared in Berita AmBank Group in September, 1986.
34 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Fixed Deposits –
Customer Experiences
Caricature of a customer anticipating the returns
of fixed deposits. First appeared in The Star on
6 March, 1986. Subsequently, it reappeared
in Utusan Malaysia on 7 March, 1986 and the
Berita AmBank Group in December, 1985.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 35

The Savers’ G.A.N.G.

And The Camel Mascot
Playful artwork featuring Tan Sri Azman
Hashim, the Savers’ G.A.N.G. and the
camel mascot. The caricature was used on
various occasions, including in artwork for
Christmas greetings and Berita AmBank
Group in December, 1987.

It was also used in a poster for a

Backbenchers Club football match and
in an advertisement for the Penang
Bridge Run, both events being sponsored
by Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad in
November, 1988.

The caricature ws reused in the

sponsorship of the Malay Mail Big
Walk in 1989. Boosting the morale
of the participants, the billboard says:
“Berjalanlah dengan Semangat Muhibbah”
which translated means “Walk with the
Spirit of Unity”. It appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in June, 1989.

The Savers’ G.A.N.G

Advertisement announcing the new
Savers’ G.A.N.G magazine packed
with colour, excitement, fun and
laughter for all Savers’ G.A.N.G savings
accountholders. First appeared in
The Star on 10 August, 1988 and
subsequently in Nanyang Siang Pau on
11 August, 1998.
36 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

The Savers’ G.A.N.G. Animated Television Commercial

Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad launched its first fully animated Savers’ G.A.N.G.
television commercial in September, 1988. This scene shows the members of the
Savers’ G.A.N.G. It appeared in Berita AmBank Group in December, 1988.

The Savers’ G.A.N.G. Animated The Savers’ G.A.N.G. Animated

Television Commercial Television Commercial
The Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad Savers’ G.A.N.G. with Tan Sri Azman Hashim with the Savers’ G.A.N.G. Appeared
the Group mascot. Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in in Berita AmBank Group December, 1988.
December, 1988.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 37

The Savers’ G.A.N.G.

The Savers’ G.A.N.G account is a kids’-
friendly savings account for those aged
12 years and below. First appeared in
The Star on 3 February, 1990.

Group Branding Via

Sponsorship
Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad
sponsored the Children’s Art
Competition jointly organised by
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and
The Malay Mail in 1990. Mr. Koh
Pee Seng, Senior General Manager
at Arab-Malaysian, handed over a
camel-shaped mock cheque to Encik
Mohd Sallehuddin Othman, editor of
The Malay Mail. The caricature and
news appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in December, 1990.
38 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

The Savers’ G.A.N.G. Art Competition

An advertisement in conjunction with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Kuala Lumpur. The
Group organised a Children’s Art Competition as part of the celebrations. The caricature appeared in
Berita Harian on 7 November, 1990 and the Malay Mail on 8 November, 1990.

The Courtesy Campaign

In June, 1991, Tan Sri Azman Hashim introduced the
Group’s courtesy campaign and the virtues of a smile.
Lat’s stroke of genius is apparent again in the caricature
of smiling characters and the camel mascot. First
appeared in Berita AmBank Group in June, 1991.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 39

Family Culture
Caricature promoting happy and close-knit
members of a family.

The Savers’ G.A.N.G. Coin Box The Savers’ G.A.N.G. Spirit Of Unity
The Savers’ G.A.N.G. with a camel coinbox. The Savers’ G.A.N.G. demonstrating the spirit of
Malaysian harmony.
40 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Savings Account – Customer Experiences

Cartoon promoting the savings account.
It appeared in Berita AmBank Group in March, 1987.
Festive Greetings
42 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Chinese New Year 1985

Chinese New Year greetings featuring
Tan Sri Azman Hashim and members of
the senior management. Appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in March, 1985.

Hari Raya AidilÀtri 1985

Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings from
Tan Sri Azman Hashim, senior
management and staff preparing
dodol. Appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in June, 1985.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 43

Happy Deepavali 1985

Deepavali greetings from Tan Sri Azman Hashim
(seen wearing a flower garland, or malai) and
members of the senior management.
44 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Season’s Greetings
The caricature featured Tan Sri Azman Hashim
and senior management. Appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in December, 1985.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 45

Season’s Greetings 1986

Tan Sri Azman Hashim and senior
management riding a sleigh pulled by the
mascot. Appeared in Berita AmBank Group
in December, 1986.
46 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Hari Raya AidilÀtri 1986

Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings with senior management
preparing a raya favourite – lemang. Appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in June, 1986.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 47

Chinese New Year 1986

The mascot camel is seen pulling a Chinese
trishaw in the Year of the Rabbit. Appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in December, 1986.
48 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Happy Deepavali 1986

Tan Sri Azman Hashim, senior management and staff
enjoying a Deepavali feast. Appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in September, 1986.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 49

Happy Deepavali 1987

Deepavali greetings featuring preparation of traditional
Indian favourites. Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in
September, 1987.
50 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Happy Deepavali 1988

Deepavali greetings featuring the kolam, traditional decorative art using
coloured rice grains. Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in September, 1988.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 51

Chinese New Year 1988

Chinese New Year greetings
from Tan Sri Azman Hashim
and the mischievious Savers’
G.A.N.G. celebrating the Year of
the Dragon. Appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in March, 1988.

Season’s Greeting 1988

Tan Sri Azman Hashim and senior management
peeking from behind a giant Christmas tree in
this caricature for Christmas greetings. Appeared
in Berita AmBank Group in December, 1988.
52 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Hari Raya AidilÀtri 1988

A member of the Savers’ G.A.N.G. tugging at the reins of the camel mascot with Tan Sri Azman Hashim looking
on whilst preparing more ketupat for the celebrations. Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in June, 1988.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 53

Happy Deepavali 1989

Tan Sri Azman Hashim atop the camel
mascot bearing a bowl of Deepavali
delicacies. Appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in September, 1989.

Chinese New Year 1989

Humourous caricature for Chinese New
Year greetings ushering the Year of
the Horse. Appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in December, 1989.
54 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Hari Raya AidilÀtri 1989

Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings with cheeky children at Tan
Sri Azman Hashim’s open house. Appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in March, 1989.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 55

Season’s Greetings 1989

Tan Sri Azman Hashim and the Savers’ G.A.N.G. spreading
good cheer during the Christmas season. Appeared in Berita
AmBank Group in December, 1989.
56 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Hari Raya AidilÀtri 1990

Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings featuring Tan Sri Azman
Hashim and members of the Savers’ G.A.N.G preparing a
raya favourite, the ketupat.
Life At The Bank
58 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Mohamed Ali Yousoff

Caricature of Public Affairs
Manager, Mohamed Ali Yousoff.
Appeared in Berita AmBank Group
in September, 1984.

STLR Sdn Bhd

Caricature commemorating
the appointment of Arab-
Malaysian Merchant Bank
as Financial Adviser to STLR
Sdn Bhd, the operator
of the then future Light
Rapid Transit System for
Kuala Lumpur. Appeared
in Berita AmBank Group in
September, 1985.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 59

Moving Into The New OfÀces

Caricature of Michael Chan, the then Chief
Executive Director, Arab-Malaysian Eagle
Assurance Berhad, selecting the most
auspicious time to move into the new offices
of Arab-Malaysian Banking Group. Appeared
in Berita AmBank Group in September, 1986.

Malaysia Fund Inc.

Roadshow
Going on a roadshow for the Malaysia
Fund Inc. The close-ended investment
fund was listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, and invested in equities of
Malaysian companies listed on the Kuala
Lumpur Stock Exchange. Appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in June, 1987.
60 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Tan Sri Azlan Zainol

The Savers’ G.A.N.G. with Tan Sri Azlan Zainol, then
Managing Director of Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad.
Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in December, 1987.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 61

AMMB’s Listing On The KLSE

A caricature of Tan Sri Azman Hashim and staff sweating it out sorting out
the share applications for AMMB Holdings Berhad’s IPO listing exercise.
Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in December, 1988.
62 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Tan Sri Azman

Hashim’s 25th
Wedding Anniversary
In joyous celebration and
a tribute to Tan Sri Azman
Hashim’s 25th Wedding
Anniversary. The caricature
appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in June, 1988.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 63

At A Board Meeting
Caricature of a board meeting. Appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in March, 1988.
64 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Healthy Lifestyle – Walking The Talk

Caricature promoting a healthy lifestyle at the Arab-Malaysian Banking Group.
Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in December, 1988.
 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 65

Healthy Lifestyle – Management Style

Caricature promoting a healthy lifestyle at the Arab-Malaysian Banking Group.
Appeared in Berita AmBank Group in September, 1988.
66 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

Fortitude And Diligence

Tan Sri Azman Hashim’s sense of urgency
and responsibility are evident in this
caricature of him back on the job even with
a broken leg. Appeared in Berita AmBank
Group in June, 1989.

The Singing Duo

The caricature featured Tan Sri Azman
Hashim and Tunku Arishah Tunku
Maamor’s love of singing. Appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in June, 1989.
A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991 67

Malaysia Growth Fund

The Malaysia Growth Fund, a
USD30 million closed-end unit trust
subscription offered to Japanese
investors. Appeared in Berita
AmBank Group March, 1989.
68 A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

On Fitness First
Busy management team
keeping fit at the gym,
Arab-Malaysian Banking
Group. Appeared in
Berita AmBank Group in
September, 1989.
 LAT A Collection of Cartoons, 1984-1991

In 1984, with a devoted following in children, intellectuals,

and politicians who are fans, Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank
Berhad engaged Lat to further promote the Bank’s products
and services to the Malaysian public. The partnership
successfully produced Lat’s famous Savers’ G.A.N.G
team, debuted with the launch of the children’s savings
account in 1990. Lat continued to mix social commentary
with humorous passages and slapstick with the Bank’s
promotional materials until 1991.

From his corner Lat Looks at Arab-Malaysian in

Berita AmBank Group, a newsletter published by the
Bank, his brand of cartoons also appeared in leading local
newspapers and media via the Bank’s advertisements
and sponsorships, ensuring the wide news reach to the
Malaysian public and devoted fans who constantly
looked out for what Lat has to ‘say’ next.